Interview with a Bothan: A Star Wars Podcast

This is a long one! There is, of course, much to talk about, as Lou and Lenny are covering the last three sections of Chris Kempshall’s Star Pilots (2026). The two have a wide ranging conversation from the perils of shoddy de-Nazification to an interrogation of piloting and gender. Lenny also forces Lou to define “History” on the spot, which takes a surprising turn.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou La...

On this episode we attempt to get into Chris Kempshall's Star Pilots before life unfortunately decides to get in the way and prevent us from fully finishing the episode! We will be finishing Star Pilots next time, but if you would like to listen to us say outlandish things about the year 2007 or AI we have the hot takes ready for you! Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: T...

All of the narrative threads come together in the final twelve chapters of Timothy Zahn’s Vision of the Future (1998). The fact that Lenny has started watching Star Trek: Deep Space 9 prompts Lou to offer an impromptu review of a recent Strange New Worlds episode, Once La’an a Time (yes, they are both aware this is, in fact, a Star Wars podcast). Following Lou’s philosophy on the canonicity of fan...

Lou and Lenny continue their reading of Timothy Zahn’s 1998 Vision of the Future ! This time, Lenny has read a trope-y romance novel in preparation for further discussion of Luke and Mara’s dynamic, which takes the shape of Lou asking them to rephrase bits of dialogue in the style of Julia Quinn (author of the Bridgerton series). The two also consider the ramifications of Luke Skywalker’s presumab...

In a devastating turn of events for one of our hosts, Lou and Lenny’s discussion of the first 15 chapters of Timothy Zahn’s Vision of the Future (1998) reveals Lenny’s complete and utter obliviousness to romantic subtext. You see, while focusing on Luke and Mara’s discussion of their relationship with the force, Lenny completely missed that this conversation was taking place in the context of thei...

On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, Lou and Lenny ponder the viability of doing a “Weekend at Bernie’s” with fictional and historical characters! We’re covering the second half of Specter of the Past (1997) this week and bringing you all things Thrawn, Tito, and semi-regular ramblings about Star Trek . We know this is a Star Wars podcast, but Lou recently finished DS9 and found similaritie...

This week's special guest is Lydwina, Lenny's cat! Lou and Lenny discuss the first eleven chapters of Timothy Zahn's Specter of the Past (1997) because they had to take a break once Corran Horn showed up in this book. Lou has thoughts about foundational myth in relation to Zahn's own canon within a canon. The two discuss New Republic society and political responses to genocide.  No...

Fellas, is it gay to think your boys look hotter when they are sad? As always, Lou and Lenny ask only the most important questions in their discussion of Aaron Allston’s Starfighters of Adumar (1999). The two discuss Wedge Antilles’ self-esteem and romantic relationships, but not before discussing hand sewing and Lou’s thoughts on Star Trek: DS9. Lenny also happened to do some cursory research on...

In discussing the back half of I, Jedi (1998), Lou and Lenny uncover the similarities between social media algorithms and the dark side of the force. The duo then continue to raise questions about Corran Horn’s character, particularly in relation to his views on women. If this sounds concerningly on-topic for these two, fear not! The episode begins with a discussion of how movies from the 1960s ca...

Have you ever wondered what happens when someone with ADHD takes their meds too early in the day? Well you’re in luck! On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, Lou and Lenny attempt to tackle the first 25 chapters of I, Jedi (1998). Is this done successfully? That is debatable but there is discussion of copaganda, AI, and clouds.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Th...

Lenny and Lou are back in the trenches with Isard’s Revenge (1999) by Michael A. Stackpole. Before they talk much about the Galaxy Far Far Away’s leadership crisis, however, the two get sidetracked by a discussion of Montréal mayoral politics and the cost of groceries. Bringing it back to slightly more relevant matters, Lou and Lenny marvel at the New Republic’s hawkish neoliberalism and ponder ho...

Lenny is out of the country doing some medical tourism, so enjoy this review of The Mandalorian and Grogu . We recorded this the day the film came out, so apologies for any misconceptions we have about the film itself or anything else. This episode features Thomas Seibel! Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at...

Lou and Lenny are taking a quick detour from the X-Wing series to cover The Courtship of Princess Leia (1994). The duo is struck by Han Solo’s unfortunate similarities to Corran Horn in this book, prompting questions about Corellian society at large. Lou then divulges just how much they know about Corellia, while despairing about the decline of baseball. Lenny shares their findings about Canon vs....

This episode, Lou and Lenny allegedly talk about the last instalment of the Wraith Squadron Trilogy, Solo Command (1999). In reality, Lou is losing their mind over the status of Montreal’s public services and Lenny is possessed by the ‘average Tik-Tok creator’ who is seemingly unaware of the industrial revolution. Trigger warning timestamp 1:18:11-1:33:11 for discussion of Unit 731/Nazi medical ex...

This episode, Lou and Lenny are covering Iron Fist (1998), the second Wraith Squadron book and sixth in the X-Wing Series! As of this recording, Lou is a week out from their wisdom tooth removal. Lenny has thoughts and feelings about Myn Donos and technofascism, which are more related than one might think. They also ask the question, are Corellian men bad in bed? Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Lavert...

While discussing Aaron Allston’s Wraith Squadron (1998) Lenny and Lou initially focus on the ethics and history of the use of bioweapons but at some point start playing smash or pass with Canadian Prime Ministers. Lenny gets serious about workplace rights and protections and reveals more about their day job than they probably should. The duo then discuss the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and how mo...

On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, we become a layman’s tech podcast before covering Bacta War . Lou laments that they want another updated special edition of Star Wars: A New Hope while updating Lenny on the dire straits that is the SSD/HDD market. Lenny, on the other hand, is actually on task and has thoughts and feelings about Tycho’s teenage-like atheism.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou...

Lenny and Lou make it through an entire episode without mentioning WMDs or biological warfare! We’re covering The Krytos Trap (1996) this week. Lenny thinks that Corran Horn would learn a lot from watching the hit TV show, Loiter Squad and Lou needs everyone to know that the Star Wars Holiday Special is the most influential film of all time. Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  M...

Lou and Lenny take front row seats to the covert-op to take Coruscant in Wedge’s Gamble (1996). Lenny is seemingly unaware that they are basically the same age as Corran Horn (25)   while complaining about his daddy issues and Lou just can't get over their dislike for him.   Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email...

Lou and Lenny tackle the first installment of the X-Wing series! Rogue Squadron (1996) follows the reformation of the iconic (in and out of universe) x-wing squadron during the early years of the New Republic. Lenny reveals that their opinions of Ahsoka have made them an enemy of the public and Lou can't stop calling Corran Horn ‘Corn,’ before they both analyze what it means to have ‘Harrison Ford...

Discussing the leadup to Thrawn’s exile laid out in Timothy Zahn’s conclusion to The Ascendancy Trilogy, Lesser Evil (2021), as well as Thrawn and Thrass’s tragic backstory, Lou and Lenny get unusually emotional and reflect on memory and friendship. Lenny over-intellectualizes a one-off comment comparing Thrawn’s trajectory to Anakin’s. Lou explains the different forms of conspiratorial thinking,...

Lou and Lenny discuss the second installment of the Ascendancy Trilogy, Greater Good (2021) by Timothy Zahn. Chiss military culture prompts a discussion of girlbosses in the military, and the chafing of military and political interests through the lens of Chiss family drama. Lenny talks about the early study of religion in relation to how (what we know as) the Force appears in this book. Lou expou...

Lou and Lenny start the Ascendancy Trilogy! Chaos Rising (2020) follows Thrawn at the start of his military career where he shows his early affinity for pre-emptive strikes. Join Lou and Lenny as they meander through conversation topics as wide ranging as conditional familial bonds, the significance of flag rank, and the inherent intimacy of hand-to-hand combat.  Have questions, comments, or conce...

In this episode, Lou and Lenny finish Timothy Zahn’s Empire Trilogy. Thrawn Treason was a fan favorite, Lou cannot comprehend why Ezra Bridger is barred from being an adult. Lenny, on the other hand, is obsessed with Imperial aesthetics. Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at interviewwithabothan@gmail.com Find...

In this episode, Lou and Lenny are discussing the second installment of the Imperial Trilogy, Thrawn: Alliances . Lou geeks out about historiography in the GFFA and Lenny, the city slicker they are, is fascinated by the indoctrination of rural populations in fascist regimes.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us...